PROD223-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026

Immersive Game Design

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 21 June 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 1 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 10 May 2026

Description

This paper introduces students to the technologies and techniques used to create Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) experiences. Students will design and build games using VR and AR head-mounted displays, 6-degree-of-freedom motion controllers, depth cameras, and other leading-edge technologies, such as Arduino-controlled input and output. We will look at three main topics: 1. The Human Sensory Systems: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the main human senses of vision, audio, haptics (touch), smell and taste? 2. Multi-sensory Technologies: What technologies exist to deliver content to each of these senses? 3. Holistic Design: What are the design concerns when choosing an appropriate set of sensory "displays" for immersive experiences? Which types of cues are needed for a given user/task/environment combination?

Learning Outcomes

  • For theoretical learning outcomes, students will:
  • Understand the significance of immersive interface technologies (VR, AR, MR) and their societal impact.
  • Explain the structure and operation of a game engine and its software framework.
  • Describe the fundamentals of computer graphics and animation in games.
  • Explain principles of 3D user interfaces for interaction and navigation.
  • Understand human sensory systems and human factors in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and their implications for immersive design.
  • Analyse multi-sensory technologies and their role in immersive experiences.

    For practical learning outcomes, students will:
  • Operate immersive interface hardware, including six-degree-of-freedom head-mounted displays and motion controllers.
  • Develop immersive games and applications using Unity and C#.
    Classification: In-Confidence
  • Apply immersive game design methods, including storyboarding, 3D sketching, and directing player attention.
  • Test and evaluate immersive games collaboratively in teams.

Prerequisites

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 11:00 - 13:00 E12
16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Computer Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 14:00 - 17:00 West 323 (18/2)
Len Lye 201 Computer Lab 2 (25/2-25/3, 22/4-27/5)
 16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
02 Thursday 14:00 - 17:00 West 213A (19/2)
Len Lye 201 Computer Lab 2 (26/2-26/3, 23/4-28/5)
 16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
Workshop A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 13:00 - 14:00 West 323 (18/2)
Len Lye 201 Computer Lab 2 (25/2-25/3, 22/4-27/5)
 16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May
02 Thursday 13:00 - 14:00 West 213A (19/2)
Len Lye 201 Computer Lab 2 (26/2-26/3, 23/4-28/5)
 16 Feb - 29 Mar
20 Apr - 31 May

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Thammathip Piumsomboon

Lecturers

Nikita Mae Harris and Wendy Zhang

Assessment

Assignment 1: 15%
Escape Room: VR Prototype: 20%
MR Mini-Game: 20%
Lab Submissions (5% each): 30%
Test: 15%
Total: 100%

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,058.00

International fee $5,388.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Product Design on the departments and faculties page .

All PROD223 Occurrences

  • PROD223-26S1 (C) Semester One 2026
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